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38 Year Old Male Just Finished All on 4 Uppers (All on 6 Actually)

UPDATED FROM TXTJ
11 months post

Finally got my finals!!! Can't stop smiling

WORTH IT$28,000
Hey everyone! After almost 11 months to the day, I now have my final prosthesis in. I actually should have been done back in April, but had several set backs. I had several wax try ins to make sure I was satisfied with color/shade. Also a final was made a month ago, however the lab tech made an error and the titanium bar could be seen thru the from left tooth. I had thought maybe I could live with it or get used to it but ultimately decided it was not a final product I would accept. A complete new denture had to be made to correct. Man am I glad I did!! My finals are perfect! So much more comfortable without the space between it and my gums. This is to say the bar and denture are flush on my gums. What this does is create some pressure on the implants being tweaked from what I'm used to. I tried eating some almonds yesterday and could feel a pinch coming from the implant. This will go away with some time.
Chewing does feel COMPLETELY different as well. This comes from the structure of the tooth itself. These teeth are more defined like natural teeth instead of being flat surfaced like my temps. I had developed a habit of grinding like a cow when chewing. Now I have to chew more up and down instead of sideways.
Finally, I still need 3 teeth on my bottom jaw fixed with crowns. So as the teeth are fixed (its just a matter of money/insurance at this point) my occlusion will need to be adjusted. Not really any big deal.
I don't think I could be more satisfied with my final product. It's so, so, so much money, but honestly its worth every penny to have a new life!!!
My only regret is waiting so long to get something done. As I have written before, my mom died a week after my surgery and never got to see my smile. She hadn't seen a real smile in over 15 years. I now smile big and joyfully. I dedicate my smile for mom.
Anyway, that's my update! I really want to hear from everyone experience and journey that are about to embark on. Your stories have helped me along my journey. Best wishes to all of you!
Much love
Adam

Replies (5)

Great to hear! I had the surgery in May of this year but I never made a post on this site. I still have " a ways" to go. Definitely been a journey.
Thats great! Would love to hear your expierince when you are ready to shar. Enjoy your new smile!
You did a great job selecting your smile! They look great! Congratulations! And... thanks for sharing!
Thank you! :D
Beautiful smile! I have a full upper bridge on 8 implants , done 13 yrs ago. After a while you will have to remind yourself that you have implants. I would suggest to always sleep with a mouth guard. I use the hygienist at the periodontist who placed my implants and I get a cleaning every 3 months since I got a them because I had serious periodontal problems before I got the implants so I definitely don't want to take chances. I suggest a waterpik, best thing ever invented. I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine, it's truly amazing how much better and confident you will feel.
Thank you so much!!! I can't tell you hope good it is to hear from someone with who has had time with thier inplants. I keep mine clean with the waterpik as well. Tell me... did you ever get headaches from them? I'm almost a year post OP, and have been getting some headaches which I feel may be coming from the inplants. Does this go away?
I never have had headaches. I can honestly say I never had problems since I've had them. My periodontist who put them in had to go in there and clean out around one implant that had a pocket and was bleeding a little, nothing bad but pockets and bleeding need to be adressed immediately. He had to do that about 3 times in the last 13 yrs, he also had to do a small bone graft on that same implant a couple yrs ago basically that's the only thing that I ever had to do, I look at it as maintenance, not uncommon with implants , I had very small amount of bone left for that implant in my molar area so it will always be problematic , mainly because of my age, I'm 67 and female . The younger you are, the better it will be for you and you just have to catch little problems before they become big problems . Does your bite feel natural and perfect when you bite down, are all uppers left and right touching lowers left and right when you bite down so all the chewing force is distributed evenly across your mouth and do you sleep with a mouth guard? Very important, make sure you are NOT vitamin D deficient, if you are, take D supplement. Most people with periodontal problems are vitamin D deficient, better be safe than sorry. We invested a lot, got to protect it.
Hey there! Did your headaches go away? What about that pinch. Did it get better? Your teeth look amazing!
I am soooo very happy for you !! They are beautiful !!
They look awesome! Keep smiling..
UPDATED FROM TXTJ
6 months post

6 month update!!!

Well.... I got the all clear from my periodontist to proceed with my prostodontist to begin working on my final bridge. I was so relieved when he said everything looks perfect. I cant tell you how excited I am to begin designing the finals!!!
Thats all I really have to update for now. Hope everyone is doing well on their own journey! :)

Replies (5)

Fantastic news! I am very happy for you. I hope to be as fortunate - only 1 or 2 months to go!
Fantastic!!
Congratulations you look amazing! Good for you having this done - I'm so happy for the wonderful uptick in your quality of life. Thank you for such detailed posts about your experience. Glad your journey has been easier than you anticipated :-) Take care!
You look fantastic!
Congrats i need wait till 20th then i will know which implants i getting but all screws remove bone is shave i think be smsll ones with bar
UPDATED FROM TXTJ
4 months post

4 month Post Op Visit

Hey everyone, i had my 4 month follow up visit last week and thought I would drop a quick update.
Really, it seems everything is healing perfectly, and it was noticed that I have been keeping everything very clean. I was a little disappointed that I wasnt cleared to have my perm bridge put it. Im get antsy to have the temps out. But unfortunately I just need more time for the implants to integrate to the bone. I will be honest, I probably push eating the wrong things a little too much which may contribute to that. Hard or chewy bread seems to affect me the most. So Ill go back in 2 months (6 month post op) and hopefully wrap this up :)
I did want to mention that Dr Yu asked how I was keeping it so clean. One thing Ive found is I use the really cheap Dentipicks to clean over the bridge throughout the day. These things are a couple of bucks for 2 boxes. The brush part is very soft and flexible which allows me to be very careful when cleaning. They are just an easy cheap way to move away food that has gotten stuck up there.... and food will get stuck above the bridge. Thats really my only complaint these days. I have been assured that my finals will fit much more "intimate" against the gums eliminating this.
Other than that, no real change.... just looking forward to the next step.
If you have had or going to have implants, keep sharing your store, thoughts, and hope with us! It really helps me and I know others as well :)
Much Love - A

Replies (5)

A great report A. I have no indication my implants are not doing well, but have one place where the gum did not heal well so I had to have it resutured. I'm guessing that will delay me getting my perms like you. Although maybe not. Today is only two weeks from surgery. I flew to be with my kids and grandkids today for Christmas. Some of us went out to eat. My son chose a Noodle restaurant, for their Thia chicken soup. All the pieces were real small in a creamy smooth liquid. It was delicious - my first outing. I did find that I couldn't leave until I'd rinsed my mouth thoroughly in the restroom. It seems I have a new compulsion. Merry Christmas
Same to you Shelly! Im happy to hear its going well for you! Keep it up :)
Are the dental picks you are talking about the white ones with a brush on one end and a point on the other? Thanks.
Yes ma'am! They come in a little clear container. There are probably others, but ive found these work for me. I will bend the brush end at a right angle for easier access.
I agree the denti brushes are great! I love that they are easy to take along anywhere. I use them several times a day since I absolutely hate the feeling of food in the in between area. Glad to read that things are going so well for you!
Which dentibrushes are you using?
I use the DenTek Easy Brush. Here's a link -
DenTek Easy Brush - 16 ct - 2 pk https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J7G7W04/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4TYpAbNQ8QSED
thanks!
I getting 6 implants but normal and got denture hope I get it done in 2018 been on it since 2015 3 sinus grafts lastest with pfr
Alexis, what is pfr? That is a new term to me.
Pfr it's when they take some blood and spin it then add it to bone like wrap it on donate bones and put layer on area before so good it's own blood but I had 2 implants on so far 4 was on then remove so hopefully Feb there 4 new ones be install
Thanks. Ive seen it written out with the whole name (which I cannot remember) but I didn't know the initials. I understand now. Hopefully Feb!
I want 5 implants with crowns for bottom
It's will take 4 to 6 months for bone and implant since I been doing it but I had 6 install and then he had remove 4 due to bone didnt even near it so hopefully new system and bone works since I go for last check up in Jan then surgery in feb for instal implants agian and remove screws he use help bone
I am truly happy for all of you who have been able to have your smiles and health and self esteem so improved. I dislike myself for even writing this but it appears unless I sell my little house I will never be able to have nice teeth again. It is Christmas!!!! I'm sitting here so horribly depressed-and not knowing what to try anymore. I didn't leave the house to see relatives because they all have quite nice lifestyles and to be honest I'm feeling sorry for myself. Do not want to even go to church and meet people because I loved to smile and I forget how ghastly I look now and certainly don't want to smile. It's hard to believe I allowed this to happen. Well...not sure what else to try-I need several surgeries and they are on hold but it's not looking good financially. Really down so I'll write when feeling better.
Hey I believe you are amazing and don't forget you will have good smile and get better
Merry Christmas OnTheEdge,
Believe me when i tell you i spent countless years feeling the same as you do now. Especially over the holidays. I get it. The All on 4 is extreamly expensive, and out of reach for most people. Its very discouraging and hopeless at times. But there are other procedures. I spent years of depression, but i could not get over the fact of being younger and in dentures. But knowing what i know now... and knowing that i could begin to live without the guilt and shame... i would go through with dentures in a heartbeat. The stigma is not nearly as bad as i had made it out to be. Not sure if you have already recieved a treatment plan or not, but i highly suggest visiting a few different dentist if possible. Figure out what your insurance will pay for. There are options out there for people of all incomes. Maybe you might be able to find some suggestions on these forums with that.
Always remember, you are not alone, as many of us have been right where you are. And if you can pull anything from these forums, is there is hope for you.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas!! May 2018 be the year of your own hope and change.
-A
Hi TXTJ-I'd like to thank you so much for your kind words. Honestly you improved my mood so much I was actually blasting a mix of Christmas music and rock 'n' roll in my car and just feeling better that someone cared. I have no insurance. I severely hurt my back shoveling packed snow eight years ago and have been unable to work-then I had to go to Fl. to try to help my daughter with a terrible situation she was in & was trying to fix a fixture on her porch and went off the ladder-nearly bled out and bones were everywhere. Most of what I had saved went to deserving persons and some not so deserving and all the co-pays for medical care after that. After nearly 4 years of excruciating pain after the metal broke-I now need surgeries in other areas from weight bearing on the uninjured area-there was NO money for implants left-that's for sure. I kept foolishly thinking someone I had helped or my rather wealthy family would help-but that was obviously not to be. I've researched my brains out but have not come up with anything yet. So I sit here paralyzed(emotionally) praying for a miracle. Dentures will not work for me and that is not just because I don't want them-I briefly had a 'flipper' and couldn't tolerate it-this was affirmed by 2 consults that felt dentures would be problematic due to a very small bite. However I'm feeling more hopeful and again-you'll never know how much your words meant. God Bless you and have an awesome and beautiful New Year. Thank You.
Happy New Year!!! Hope you are feeling better. I am going crazy with my dental issues but will not give up until I find the right answers. Try a teaching hospital the cost is much less than private dentists. Good luck and keep the faith.
There is a teaching hospital near me but cost is not much less than your regular dentists!! Waiting lists and prior experience trying to get into the program were awful. Plus the work has rotten reviews. (Poor supervision-problems constantly). DO NOT mean to sound ungrateful but I could check again-maybe something is better now. Just read about a girl who had excellent results in Mexico but the next one u read has terrible results from same place-same dentist! I look at pictures of my previous lovely smile and want to cry. My only option would be to sell my little house-use the proceeds to my teeth-but wouldn't help much because I'm not sure where I could live more cheaply-and I'm beholden to my daughter who is struggling to keep her family together after her husband rejected his kidney transplant and had both legs amputated. She has no one but me to leave her money and all I have is my little house-nothing else. What a mess. Well thank u 4 writing and I hope I may get today's crummy attitude changed. Best of luck to you also!!